All songs written, performed, and recorded by Gavin Stewart of Whale Blue Eye
Influences
In no particular order as far as I can see: Miles Davis, the Smiths, Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, Kate Bush, U2, REM, the Police, Morrissey, Jane's Addiction, John Coltrane, Ravi Shankar, Depeche Mode, Nirvana, the Cure, Blur, Tori Amos, the Beatles, Chet Baker, Bhagavan Das, the Psychedelic Furs, Grateful Dead, Iron Maiden, Shakespeare, Krishna Das, the Verve, John Irving, Oasis, Soundgarden, Blondie, Alice in Chains, the Doors, Pearl Jam, Duncan Sheik, David Gray, Led Zeppelin, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Parker, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Judas Priest, Neil Young, Sonic Youth, Harmony Bandits, the Clash, Mod Alien, Mountain, the Mountains, tall trees, red-tailed hawks, Anil Gupta, and Walt Whitman
Sounds Like
I labour by singing light/
Not for ambition or bread/
Or the strut and trade of charms/
On the ivory stages/
But for the common wages/
Of their most secret heart./
Not for the proud man apart/
From the raging moon I write/
On these spindrift pages/
Nor for the towering dead/
With their nightingales and psalms/
But for the lovers, their arms/
Round the griefs of the ages,/
Who pay no praise or wages/
Nor heed my craft or art. xxx
--Dylan Thomas
What is the sound of one hand clapping? What is the sound of a tree falling in the forest with no one there to hear it? These new songs wanted to be heard, so here they are ...
Whale Blue Eye's first album, "Dizzy With Joy," which was released a few years back, is still available on CDBaby and iTunes. I've included that link over on the left-side of the page--click on it and you'll have the opportunity to read a few inane facts and odd statements about Whale Blue Eye. You'll also be able to check out some songs other than the ones posted on this page ... but really, I'm much more excited about the material that appears here.
If anyone wants a copy of any of these MySpace songs, let me know and I'll try to make that happen. Any artists who'd be interested in covering my songs? I'd be honored! Filmakers looking for soundtrack material? I'd be receptive to that too. But it's also satisfying to know that, for some people, these sounds I've recorded in my little basement student have become part of the soundtrack of their lives. How remarkable is that?
Yes, along the way I've received some radio play, sold a few CD's, played with some people you might know, done some gigs for more than a few people (and sometimes for very few people :). But I do this because I have to. I suspect there are a lot of you out there who know precisely what I mean.
The SONGS are why I'm here: I write songs; I play guitar; I sing (sort of). I've got plenty of other joyously sad sounds that I will be posting as I record them. Thanks for stopping by--whether you do so in slyly discreet fashion, or whether you're so bold and kind as to take the time to leave a message. Peace to all. Be creative. Be brave. Be kind. As that sagely zany New Jersey poet Mr. Ginsberg once said (and I paraphrase): "We are here to ease the pain of living--the rest? Drunken dumbshow."
--Gavin
Hi, how have you been? Liking the current pic btw. Just moved so have been busy with all that it entails. Now it's time for a bonfire...the boxes and excess must go. Hope you're well my friend - the Paulster
Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money. ~Cree Indian Proverb
Howdy...definitely like where the vocals are sitting now! Love the chords in this one btw...And did you eq the snare? Sounds like you clipped the top end...hmmm
Sir Blue Eye, will you stop by for a listen to 'Sugar' when you have a sec? It's rough rough rough but has a nice live feel to it, will keep tweaking the thing...love your feedback if you have a sec - cheers - Pauline
Ok finally got the player working...and listened to 'Lavinia'...really like it, but this is one song where I want your vocals up close, and the snare mixed down a bit. Love the groovy guitar hook, and your natural, unselfconscious way. Will listen to it again, maybe I need perspective - the Paulster
Hey you...nice to get a visit, the computer is currently coughing up furballs and I can't play ANYthing...shall listen to the new song asap...this is such a great time to write/record, in the dead of winter. How are you, anyway? - P
